presented

West to East, East to West

on

Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM

at

Performing Arts Center at Gwinnett Center

Duluth, Georgia

Staged and Directed by:

Hwee-Eng Y. Lee

Guest Artists:

Kerry Lee, H.T. Chen & Dancers
Tara Lee, Atlanta Ballet
Nadia Mara, Atlanta Ballet
Hangdong Xu, Dance China NY

Hoyi Chan

Click on a dance to see its description:
CELEBRATION OF LIFE - A COLLECTION OF CHINESE FOLK DANCES	WEST TO EAST
Han Dance - Chinese New Year Celebration Tibet Dance - Solo Tibet Dance - Pure White Hada Tibet Dance - Schoolgirl and the Ducks Naxi Dance - Alili Uyghur Dance - Lift Your Veil Uyghur Dance - Lucky Tambourines Dai Dance - Peacock Dance Han Dance - Harvest Dance Mongolian Dance - Lucky Chopsticks Han Dance - Women on That Side of the Mountain	Lu Dai Dang Feng Flying Apsaras Excerpt from White-haired Girl: Chinese New Years' Eve Excerpt from White-haired Girl: Escape from the Cave Rain in a Small Town Lane Cradle EAST TO WEST Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger Jasmine Flower Spirit of the Terracotta Warrior Kung Fu

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: A COLLECTION OF CHINESE FOLK DANCES
“Celebration of Life” is a collection of traditional Chinese folk dances based on celebratory events in Chinese culture.  Featured in this section are dances from the Han people, China’s ethnic majority, as well as some of China’s fifty-five ethnic minorities such as the Tibetan, Uyghur, Naxi, Dai, and Mongolian people.  Each ethnic minority has their own language and culture, and they also have a unique dance style.

HAN DANCE - CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations for the Han people.  Every household adorns their living quarters with red lanterns and ribbons, as red is the symbol of happiness in Chinese culture.  It is the most festive time of year, and celebrations can last for as long as fifteen days.  Joyous songs and dances such as “yangge” create an exhilarating ambiance for all.  “Yangge” originated from farmers’ daily work movements and is the most representative dance style of the Han Chinese folk people.  Typical props of “yangge” include ribbons, handkerchiefs, silk fans, and scarves.  The dance style generally expresses feelings of happiness.  Additionally, big head dolls are often present at celebrations to heighten the cheerfulness.

Choreographer: Hwee-Eng Y. Lee
Big Head Dolls: Alice Yee and Amy Yee
Ribbon Dancers: Yi-Shan Bernard, Mia I-Wah Chan, Sarah Anne Marie Goodwin, Camille Grough, Emma Grough, Hilary Hsieh, Jade Leslie, Mia Mercaldo, Isabella Pu, Yannie Tan, Jesse Wong, Kelsey Yao, Jessica Ye
Handkerchief Dancers: Mei-Jing Bernard, Laura Brockmann, Ruby Freeman, Monica Ho, Lacey Krakowiak, Rachel Leong, Anna Marianchuk, Alice Y. McCurley, Grace Rawden, Penny Young

Photos by Lily Photography

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TIBET DANCE - SOLO
 

The Tibetan people are one of China’s fifty-five minority ethnic groups.  Tibetans mostly live in the Tibetan Plateau (“Qing Zang Gaoyuan”) north of the Himalayas.  Their economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture, and they mostly believe in Tibetan Buddhism.  Tibetan clothing typically includes a multi-colored apron and long sleeves.  Because the weather can change rapidly in a single day, they often only wear one sleeve during the day when the weather is warm. 

This dance depicts a young lady walking on a snow-covered mountain, taking in the beautiful scenery around her.

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TIBET DANCE - PURE WHITE HADA

The Tibetan people are one of China’s fifty-five minority ethnic groups.  Tibetans mostly live in the Tibetan Plateau (“Qing Zang Gaoyuan”) north of the Himalayas.  Their economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture, and they mostly believe in Tibetan Buddhism.  Tibetan clothing typically includes a multi-colored apron and long sleeves.  Because the weather can change rapidly in a single day, they often only wear one sleeve during the day when the weather is warm. 

“Hada” is a white scarf that is customarily presented as a gift by Tibetan people.  During weddings and funerals, Tibetan people use “hada” to pay their respects to honorable guests.  “Hada” symbolizes purity, loyalty, and respect.

Choreographer: China Children’s Shou-La-Shou Arts Troupe (Chongqing Branch)
Dancers: June Brenner, Carolyn Butler, Freda Chen, Katherine Do, Andrew Ellis, Anna Grove, Julie Hon, Genevieve Xiao Fei MacDonald, Nia Nguyen, Jade Phillips, Anna Rappaport, Emily Reittinger, Emily Ye, Andrew Young

Photos by Lily Photography (left) and Christine Zahniser

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TIBET DANCE - SCHOOLGIRL AND THE DUCKS

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NAXI DANCE - ALILI

The Naxi people, one of China’s fifty-five minority ethnic groups, live primarily at the intersection of the Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibetan provinces.  Historically, they were part of the Qiang minority ethnic group and lived in a matriarchal society.  The dance “Alili” is choreographed to a folk tune called “Hunting Dogs, Chasing Deers.”  The basic movement phrase consists of three steps and a lift of the foot.  This dance style has been passed down from generation to generation in Lijiang City in northwestern Yunnan. 

Choreographer: Traditional
Dancers: Nancy Chen, Debbie Ellis, Ludmilla Harker, Margery Hwang, Agate Lip, Tissa Sajoto, Iyabo Shabazz, Shu Wu, Shu-Fen Yang, Zhiyong Zhao

Photo by Christine Zahniser

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UYGHUR DANCE - LIFT YOUR VEIL
 

One of China’s fifty-five minority ethnic groups, the Uyghur people live primarily in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in northwest China.  Because of their close proximity to the Middle East, most Uyghurs are followers of Islam.  Xinjiang is renowned for its fruit and produce, such grapes and melons.  For this reason, Uyghur dance often includes movements inspired by young ladies picking grapes.  Intricate neck and wrist movements are distinct characteristics of their dance style. 

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UYGHUR DANCE - LUCKY TAMBOURINES

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DAI DANCE - PEACOCK DANCE

The Dai people, who live primarily in the Yunnan province in southwest China, are one of China’s fifty-five minority ethnic groups.  The Dai people adore peacocks, which symbolize good luck and prosperity.  This piece, which incorporates Han classical arm movements, posture, and jumps with traditional Dai folk dance, depicts a group of peacocks fanning their plumage, drinking water, bathing, flying, and landing on trees.  The complex formation changes enhance the artistic expression of the piece.  Traditional Dai dance movements include angular arms and bouncy knees.

Choreographer: Jin Ming
Dancers: Catherine Chu,  Stephanie Hu, Jessica Kouch, Katie Ku, Allison Kwan, Alda Lee, Tiffany Liu, Lindsey Lue, Tanya Su, Georgia Tse, Alice Yee, Amy Yee

Photo by Christine Zahniser (left) and Lily Photography

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HAN DANCE - HARVEST DANCE

This Han folk dance depicts a group of children harvesting their crops.  The yellow scarf symbolizes a “biandan,” or carrying pole, which the children use to carry basket loads of rice.  The dance depicts the diligent and energetic children happily at work.

Choreographer: Hwee-Eng Y. Lee
Dancers: June Brenner, Carolyn Butler, Freda Chen, Katherine Do, Andrew Ellis, Anna Grove, Julie Hon, Genevieve Xiao Fei MacDonald, Nia Nguyen, Jade Phillips, Anna Rappaport, Emily Reittinger, Emily Ye, Andrew Young

Photos by Lily Photography (left) and Nipdog Teleprompting

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MONGOLIAN DANCE - LUCKY CHOPSTICKS

Mongols, one of China’s fifty-five minority ethnic groups, live a nomadic lifestyle on the vast grasslands of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China.  Their dance style is influenced by their easy-going and bold character.  Mongolian chopsticks dances are usually performed as entertainment during celebratory banquets.  By using the chopsticks to hit their arms, hands, shoulders, back, waist, legs, and the floor, they create interesting body percussion phrases.  As their passion escalates the rhythm of the dance increases, culminating in a climactic, fast-paced ending.

Choreographer: Beijing Xi Cheng Youth Arts Troupe
Dancers: Sophie Archer, Emily Backer, Marjorie Chamberlain, Christy Chang, Vera Chang, Kateri Goodwin, Madeleine Morgan Lan Harris, Leslie Lue, Anna Meyer, Janie Wu, Penny Young, Kate Zahniser-Word

Photos by Christine Zahniser

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HAN DANCE - WOMEN ON THAT SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

This Han folk dance depicts a group of honest, simple folk women enjoying a peaceful life close the mountains.  They gather together to reminisce their past weddings, thinking back about how shy they were at the time.  The choreography of this dance was a winner of the China Central Television (CCTV) Dance Competition.

Choreographer: Mo Binyu and Zhang Yinsong
Dancers: Irene Chien (Lead – Sunday), Eugenie Ooi (Lead – Monday), Nancy Chen, Autumn Coleman, Justina Ho, Chanie Howard, Margery Hwang, Queena Kou, Agate Lip, Angela Liu, Emily Pau, Iyabo Shabazz, Julia Shyu, Melissa Ting, Shu Wu, Shu-Fen Yang, Nora Yunfan Zhang, Zhiyong Zhao

Photos by Nipdog Teleprompting (top left) and Christine Zahniser

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WEST TO EAST
The emergence of western dance forms such as ballet and modern dance in China have greatly impacted the development of Chinese ballet and traditional Chinese dance in China.  Balletic influences such as pointed feet, turn out of the legs, high extension, and ethereal quality can be observed in Chinese ballets and Chinese dances of the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.  In recent years, modern dance concepts such as creative self-expression, freedom of movement, floor work, and sense of gravity have also influenced the development of Chinese dance.

LU DAI DANG FENG

Chinese classical dance originated primarily from Chinese opera and ancient mural paintings.  Dance scholars carefully researched these paintings and created dance movements to imitate them.  This Chinese classical dance piece incorporates western dance styles such as ballet and modern dance.  The movements, while still rich in the Han classical dance tradition, are more exaggerated and free.

Choreographer: Beijing Dance Academy
Dancer: Hoyi Chan (Guest Artist)

Photo by Nipdog Teleprompting (left) and Christine Zahniser

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FLYING APSARAS

This Chinese classical dance piece was inspired by the image of goddesses flying in heaven as depicted in mural paintings in Dunhuang, a city in the Gansu province.  These paintings have been preserved in a cave since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a time in which Buddhism was introduced to China from India.  Thus, Dunhuang dance was influenced by classical Indian dance.  It has now developed to be a unique dance form.  This piece incorporates technical ballet movements such as controlled extensions and large jumps.

Choreographer: Chen Ailian
Dancers: Catherine Chu and Allison Kwan

Photos by Nipdog Teleprompting (left) and Christine Zahniser

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EXCERPT FROM WHITE-HAIRED GIRL: CHINESE NEW YEARS' EVE

Chinese ballet is a fusion of classical ballet technique with Chinese dance and opera movement.  In the 1950s, Russian artists brought Russian ballet training to China and assimilated it with the Chinese training program for dancers.  In addition to performing classical ballets such as Swan Lake and Giselle, China also created Chinese ballets to tell the stories of their own people.  White-haired Girl is a well-known Chinese ballet about a young peasant Xi’er who flees to a cave to shield herself from her abusive landlord.  Hardships cause her hair to turn white, so she is nicknamed “White-haired Girl.”

In this excerpt Xi’er awaits her father’s return on Chinese New Years’ Eve.  Her father has been in hiding to escape the debt collector from their tyrannical landlord.  Her friends bring Chinese paper cuts to cheer her up.

Choreographer: Shanghai Dance School
Xi’er: Janie Wu
Xi’er’s Friends: Kateri Goodwin, Madeleine Morgan Lan Harris

Photo by Nipdog Teleprompting (left) and Christine Zahniser

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EXCERPT FROM WHITE-HAIRED GIRL: ESCAPE TO THE CAVE

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RAIN IN A SMALL TOWN LANE

This dance depicts a group of young ladies walking through a rainy lane south of the Yangtze River, an area of China also known as Jiangnan.  The choreography, which won the gold medal at the Fifth Lotus Dance Competition in China, shows the ladies playing in the rain.  The gestures, such as lifting their skirts, opening and closing their umbrellas, drying them off, or crossing a bridge, are simple yet meaningful.  Balletic influences can be seen through the intricate footwork in the dance. 

Choreographer: Nanjing Military Dance Troupe
Umbrella Dancers: Irene Chien, Autumn Coleman, Justina Ho, Chanie Howard, Queena Kou, Angela Liu, Eugenie Ooi, Emily Pau, Julia Shyu, Melissa Ting, Nora Yunfan Zhang
Young Girl: Kate-Zahniser Word (Sunday), Sophie Archer (Monday)

Photo by Nipdog Teleprompting (left and right) and Christine Zahniser

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CRADLE

“Cradle,” choreographed to music from the Chinese movie Xiao Hua (1980), depicts a young pregnant woman full of hope at the dawn of a new China.  She imagines her husband fighting courageously to defend their country.  This piece won an “Outstanding Choreography Award” at the most recent National Dance Competition in China.  Though it is categorized as Chinese folk dance and the content is Chinese, the movement is strongly influenced by modern dance.  Much of the movements have a close relationship with the floor, which is defining quality of modern dance.

Choreographer: Jiangxi Yichang City Performing Arts Troupe
Dancer: Kerry Lee (Guest Artist, H.T. Chen & Dancers)

Photos by Lily Photography (left) and Nipdog Teleprompting

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EAST TO WEST
Chinese history and culture has been hot in Atlanta and across the United States in recent years.  “East to West” includes original Chinese dance renditions of Chinese historical and cultural references in mainstream American art and entertainment such as movies, TV shows, and museum exhibits.

SAGWA, THE CHINESE SIAMESE CAT

This piece was inspired by Amy Tan’s Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001), an educational animated series on PBS Kids enjoyed by viewers all across the United States.  It is a breakthrough moment for a Chinese-American author to premiere an animated series based on Chinese history on a major television network.  In this dance a group of cats are playing a Chinese game called “ti jian zi,” which is a Chinese hacky sack.  Sagwa wants to join in the fun, but the cats shoo her away.  When one of the cats falls down a cliff, Sagwa rushes to rescue her.  The cats are very grateful for her help and they all become “hao peng you,” or good friends.

Choreographer: Hwee-Eng Y. Lee
Dancers: Hilary Hsieh (Sagwa), Yi-Shan Bernard, Mia I-Wah Chan, Sarah Anne Marie Goodwin, Camille Grough, Emma Grough, Jade Leslie, Mia Mercaldo, Isabella Pu, Yannie Tan, Jesse Wong, Kelsey Yao, Jessica Ye

Photos by Lily Photography (left) and Christine Zahniser

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FLYING DAGGERS AND CROUCHING TIGER

This piece was choreographed to music from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and House of Flying Daggers (2004), two popular, critically acclaimed Chinese movies in the United States.  Zhang Ziyi, the leading actress in both movies, has become a household name.  This piece combines classical Chinese sleeve technique originating from Chinese opera with contemporary dance movements, creating the image of the Chinese lady.  While shy, gentle, and reserved on the surface, she can also be adventurous and iron-willed on the inside.  Movements of this dance range from soft and flowy to strong and vigorous, illustrating the multiple facets of the Chinese female.

Choreographer: Hwee-Eng Y. Lee
Dancers: Tanya Su (Lead), Catherine Chu,  Stephanie Hu, Jessica Kouch, Katie Ku, Allison Kwan, Alda Lee, Tiffany Liu, Lindsey Lue, Georgia Tse, Alice Yee, Amy Yee

Photos by Christine Zahniser

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JASMINE FLOWER

“Mo Li Hua,” or jasmine flower, is the name of a popular Chinese folk song originating from the Jiangxi province during the Qing Dynasty.  The melody has become well-known to western listeners through Puccini’s acclaimed opera Turandot, which has been performed by numerous opera companies such as Metropolitan Opera and Atlanta Opera throughout the United States.  This dance utilizes Chinese silk fans to paint a picture of beautiful jasmine flowers near a lake in the Jiangxi province.

Choreographer: Hwee-Eng Y. Lee
Dancers: Anna Meyer (Lead), Sophie Archer, Emily Backer, Marjorie Chamberlain, Christy Chang, Vera Chang, Kateri Goodwin, Madeleine Morgan Lan Harris, Leslie Lue, Janie Wu, Penny Young, Kate Zahniser-Word

Photo by Christine Zahniser

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SPIRIT OF THE TERRACOTTA WARRIOR

China’s Terracotta Army, the mausoleum of the first Qin Dynasty emperor containing thousands of life-sized soldiers, chariots, and horses buried underground, is one of China’s most famous landmarks located in Xian in the Shaanxi province.  Often called the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World, the army has attracted a lot of attention in the United States.  Atlanta’s High Museum of the Art ran an exhibition called The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army (2008), and New York’s Metropolitan Opera premiered an opera called The First Emperor (2006).  This dance is a Tao Li Bei Dance Competition award-winning solo inspired by these legendary terracotta warriors.

Choreographer: Chen Weiya
Dancer: Hangdong Xu (Guest Artist, Dance China NY)

Photos by Lander Stoddard (right) and Christine Zahniser

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KUNG FU

Chinese martial arts, popularly known in the United States as “kung fu,” has been developed over thousands of years in China.  The term “kung fu” was derived from the Chinese words “gong fu,” which means accomplishment or skill, and can be used in contexts unrelated to martial arts.  In the United States, “kung fu” has become a standardized English term for Chinese martial arts and has had a major presence in the mainstream entertainment industry.  Chinese martial arts actors such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li have popularized the art form in the west.  Nowadays, many Chinese and non-Chinese alike have a strong interest in learning kung fu.  This dance, featuring two weapons iron fan and sword, combines Chinese dance and Chinese martial arts.

Choreographer: Traditional (Group), Hangdong Xu (Duet)
Sword Dancers: Kerry Lee (Guest Artist, H.T. Chen & Dancers) and Hangdong Xu (Guest Artist, Dance China NY)
Fan Dancers: Sophie Archer, Emily Backer, Meijing Bernard, Marjorie Chamberlain, Christy Chang, Vera Chang, Irene Chien, Catherine Chu, Autumn Coleman, Kateri Goodwin, Madeleine Morgan Lan Harris, Justina Ho, Chanie Howard, Stephanie Hu, Queena Kou, Jessica Kouch, Katie Ku, Allison Kwan, Alda Lee, Angela Liu, Tiffany Liu, Leslie Lue, Lindsey Lue, Anna Meyer, Eugenie Ooi, Emily Pau, Julia Shyu, Tanya Su, Melissa Ting, Georgia Tse, Janie Wu, Alice Yee, Amy Yee, Penny Young, Kate Zahniser-Word, Nora Yunfan Zhang
Drummers: Taiwanese School of Atlanta’s Drum Team – Cindy Tan, Harry Tsai, Justin Wang

Photos by Lander Stoddard (bottom) and Christine Zahniser

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Curtain Call Photos by Lily Photography (left) and Christine Zahniser